SaskPower issues request for proposals for wind power project

SaskPower has issued a request for proposals for a 200-megawatt wind power project.

Eight of the 23 independent power producers that took part in the request for qualification phase of the competitive process have been invited to submit proposals.

“Wind power will play a key role in Saskatchewan’s electricity future,” Guy Bruce, SaskPower’s vice-president of special projects, said in a news release Thursday.

“As of today, wind makes up a total of five per cent of our available generating capacity. We plan to increase this to 30 per cent by 2030 and this project is one way we will reach our goal.”

The project will generate enough electricity to power about 80,000 homes.

The eight proponents will have until May 25, 2018 to submit their proposals, including choosing their own sites to put forward in the competition. The successful proponent will be announced in fall 2018, and the project is expected begin operation in early 2021.

SaskPower plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by about 40 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. The Crown-owned utility says it will significantly increase the amount of renewable electricity in Saskatchewan’s generation mix from 25 per cent today to as much as 50 per cent by 2030.